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JS Bach: Fantasy

Christophe Rousset (Ruckers harpsichord)

JS Bach: Fantasy
Christophe Rousset's new album, Bach Fantasy, reveals the freedom, vigour and improvisatory bravura of Bach's genius through a miscellany of pieces less frequently aired than his canonical keyboard...

JS Bach: Fantasy

Christophe Rousset (Ruckers harpsichord)

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Christophe Rousset's new album, Bach Fantasy, reveals the freedom, vigour and improvisatory bravura of Bach's genius through a miscellany of pieces less frequently aired than his canonical keyboard...

About

As harpsichordist, conductor, and musical director of the ensemble Les Talens Lyriques, Christophe Rousset is one of the finest interpreters of Baroque music. His first recording for Aparté, devoted to Louis Couperin, was received most enthusiastically by public and critics alike, and collected many distinctions in the international press including BBC Music Magazine Instrumental Choice.

Now at the peak of his maturity, the artist presents an original programme, Bach Fantasy, in which he treats us to little-known works but also standards by the great J.S. Bach. Apart from the important sets of works, including the Goldberg Variations, the Well-Tempered Clavier, the keyboard Suites and Partitas, many miscellaneous pieces by Bach have come down to us in the hand of his pupils and admirers: early essays, pieces of a didactic nature, evocations of emotions, and sometimes all of the above. Christophe Rousset plays these pieces on the 1632 Ruckers harpsichord of Neuchâtel, one of the finest in the world.

Contents and tracklist

I. Fantaisie
Track length3:47
II. Fugue
Track length5:32
I. Prélude
Track length1:10
II. Fugue
Track length1:20
I. Arioso - Adagio : Ist eine Schmeichelung der Freunde, um denselben von seiner Reise abzuhalten
Track length2:08
II. Ist eine Vorstellung unterschiedlicher Casuum, die ihm in der Fremde könnten vorfallen
Track length1:43
III. Adagiosissimo - Ist ein allgemeines Lamento der Freunde
Track length2:57
IV. Allhier kommen die Freunde, weil sie doch sehen, dass es anders nicht sein kann, und nehmen Abschied
Track length0:58
V. Allegro poco - Aria del Postiglione
Track length1:05
VI. Fuga all' imitation della posta
Track length2:32
I. Prélude
Track length2:52
II. Fugue
Track length5:01
III. Allegro
Track length3:02
I. Prélude
Track length6:58
II. Fughetta
Track length1:03
I. Prélude
Track length6:04
II. Fugue
Track length4:32
I. Aria
Track length1:19
II. Variation 1: Largo
Track length1:10
III. Variation 2
Track length1:12
IV. Variation 3
Track length1:12
V. Variation 4: Allegro
Track length1:17
VI. Variation 5: Un poco allegro
Track length1:10
VII. Variation 6: Andante
Track length1:05
VIII. Variation 7: Un poco allegro
Track length1:00
IX. Variation 8: Allegro
Track length1:03
X. Variation 9
Track length1:03
XI. Variation 10
Track length1:10

Awards and reviews

March 2011

Christophe Rousset's new album, Bach Fantasy, reveals the freedom, vigour and improvisatory bravura of Bach's genius through a miscellany of pieces less frequently aired than his canonical keyboard works...Rousset captures the emotional extremes of the teenage composer...[there's] a real sense of live performance - one that, literally and figuratively, pulls out all the stops.

23rd January 2011

Stylistically and tonally, the variety is dazzling.

7th January 2011

Fantasy is the right word for a harpsichord recital superbly played on an instrument built in 1632 and amended a century later. It’s a feisty creature that has warmth and character...Rousset’s mastery is total; every thread of counterpoint dances, crystal-clear, before us. A delightful disc.
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